Board Certification / MOC

ABPN Certification in the Subspecialty of Forensic Psychiatry

History

The American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology, Inc. (ABPN), first recognized
forensic psychiatry as an area of
subspecialization in 1992 with the establishment
of a Committee on Certification of Added
Qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry.

The first examination for Added
Qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry was given
in 1994. Prior to that time, certification in
forensic psychiatry was provided by other
organizations, such as the American Board of
Forensic Psychiatry, which were unrelated to the
American Board of Medical Specialties. With the
commencement of the ABPN Added Qualifications,
the American Board of Forensic Psychiatry ceased
conducting examinations. From the beginning, it
was understood that an ABPN Certificate for
Added Qualifications in forensic psychiatry
would be valid for ten years, and that no one
would receive Added Qualifications through a
grandfathering mechanism.

In February, 1997, the name of the
certification was changed from "Added
Qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry" to
"Certification in the Subspecialty of Forensic
Psychiatry."

The 1999 examination was the last one which
did not require that the applicant had completed
a fellowship in forensic psychiatry. Beginning
in 2001, completion of an accredited fellowship
was required. The first recertification
examination was given in 2004.

Examination Schedule

Prerequisites to taking the examination

Completion of a fellowship in forensic
psychiatry which has been accredited by the
ACGME.

DISCLAIMER: The following information
has been placed here as a service to AAPL
members. It has NOT been reviewed by the ABPN,
and may not be fully correct or up to date.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

Maintenance of Certification is now a requirement
for continued certification in forensic psychiatry.
Requirements for MOC vary depending on the date the
original exam was taken. Requirements for MOC may be
accessed at the ABPN
Web site.